France goes to the polls in first round of parliamentary elections

The elections take place following the 2022 French presidential election, which was held in April.

Re-elected President Emmanuel Macron is aiming to win an absolute majority for which he will need a minimum of 289 seats for his center-right coalition.

More than 6,000 candidates are competing to win seats in the first round, while the second round will be held on June 19.

Polls are set to open in mainland France at 8:00 am (0600 GMT), after voters in overseas territories cast ballots earlier in the weekend.

A candidate who receives an absolute majority of valid votes and a vote total equal to 25% of the registered electorate is elected in the first round.

If no candidate reaches this threshold, a runoff election is held among candidates who received a vote total equal to 12.5% of the electorate.

The candidate who receives the most votes in the second round is elected. (ILKHA)